Rise Summer Event: Summer of Thorns | Path 1

[Katrione]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: Katrione
Clan Thread: Gorseclan
Prompt Writing:
Dawnspring hauled herself to her paws as Palestar finished the clan meeting. Thornears and Marshbranch had immediately started bristling when the leader mentioned the cats stating that they weren't leaving Gorseclan's territory. "There is no other choice than to fight them!" Thornears hissed at Palestar.

Palestar turned to the warrior, a furious look in her eyes. "It seems you have forgotten that I am the leader, not you. If I wanted to put everyone's lives at risk, then I would fight. But I'm trying to save them, so it would be in your best interest to keep your muzzle shut." The white she-cat warned. Thornears glared up at her but backed off, sensing that this was a fight she wasn't going to win. Palestar turned towards Dawnspring. "Would you mind going to the Moon Field to speak with Starclan?" She asked.

"Of course, Palestar." Dawnspring mewed, bowing her head. "Can someone guard me while I'm there? I don't trust the rogues."

"Of course. Murkstep can go with you." Palestar nodded to the newly named warrior, who puffed his chest out with pride. "The moon will be at its peak soon so I suggest leaving as soon as possible." Dawnspring nodded and beckoned Murkstep to follow her before hopping the shallow creek that resided in the middle of the camp and slipping through the entrance.

As soon as the pair reached the Twin Trees outside of the camp they broke out into a run, too nervous to walk. They skidded past the Rabbit's Peak, only slowing when they saw the pale stone clearing that was guarded from the Thunderpath by a few small hills. Dawnspring turned to Murkstep as they reached the start of the clearing. "You stay here. Don't touch the stone." The blue medicine cat ordered before stepping out onto the oddly warm stone. She settled in the center of the clearing, tucking her paws under her chest. Slowly, Dawnspring felt the Moon Field seeping the heat from her body into the stone and felt herself begin to tire. Before she knew it, Dawnspring was opening her eyes in Starclan.

Dawnspring got to her paws, searching the starry terrain for Gorseclan's guides. She saw flashes of certain cats, recognizing some by the descriptions her clanmates gave her. None of them were the main guide though. Finally, a ginger and white she-cat with bright blue and starry eyes appeared out of the undergrowth. "Squirrelstar, greetings." Dawnspring mewed.

Squirrelstar had been the Starclan cat to lead Palestar to Gorseclan's home. The Starclan she-cat dipped her head. "Hello, Dawnspring. What brings you here? It's not the half moon."

"There is a group of cats encroaching on our territory. Palestar and a few of us just returned from speaking with their medicine cats and they said they wouldn't leave because Starclan told them to. We don't know what to do, Squirrelstar. We don't want to fight but talking hasn't done anything." Dawnspring mewed, a desperate look on her face. "I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"Be patient, young one." Squirrelstar mewed. "Starclan has a plan in place, everything will work out in the end. No matter what happens, Starclan will make sure Gorseclan lives on."

[Hail.]

Art Prompt!
Username: howlingtothestars
Clan Thread: Cinderclan
Art Prompt Number: 2
Prompt Art:

[Hail.]

Art Prompt!
Username: Howlingtothestars
Clan Thread: Cinderclan
Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art:

[Chimericect]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: Chimericect
Clan Thread || Forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=3746159
Prompt Writing ||

The patrol padded back to their camp, clearly unhappy and slightly bitter. Even the always cheery Thunderstar had a slight scowl on her face. “Nothing can be done. What do you mean nothing can be done?” she hissed, her angry voice making her entire patrol jump a bit in their own skin. Pantherpaw sulked behind Owlhoot, with Boneshaker and Hawkhunt murmuring amongst themselves.

“Boneshaker,” Thunderstar murmured, turning around to face him. He let out a nervous squeak, slightly intimidated by the angry leader. “I want you and Mousepaw to connect with the spirits of the past tribes, our ah, ancestors of sorts. Please, try to find something out about the new clan. Ask if they know anything, and if they can give us some help in driving these outsiders away. I have a feeling that their starry cats are much different than ours.” She mewed, turning back around and scampering into the log that allowed them passage into camp. Boneshaker sighed, glancing at the setting sun before trotting i’m behind her. “Please, please let us find a way to get them to leave. I can’t lose my home, and I know that most of the cats here feel the same. Starclan, hear our cries, answer our prayers. Join me and my apprentice tonight.”

—
“Boneshaker,” the starry she-cat purred, her glowing white eyes focused on his own. The astral realm seemed darker, and much less inviting than before, however boneshaker decided not to question that right now. Mousepaw stuck behind Boneshaker, still nervous about this whole thing. She would just watch boneshaker today. “Star mistress,” Boneshaker mewed, bowing before her. Mousepaw followed in suit. “There are intruders in our land. Cliffclan and Willowclan are fine, but these outsiders, they pose a threat. This is the second rebel group we have in our area, we can’t deal with a second. Is there anything you can tell us, anything that could be useful to us, that we can use to defeat them, or make peace with them?”

“These so called rebel cats,” the star mistress began, closing her eyes and focusing on something. She seemed to glow a bit brighter, even if only for a moment, before once again looking at boneshaker. “Are not from your area, they come from beyond my sight.” the shecat sighed, lowering her head in disappointment. “I’m sorry, I cannot be much help to you yet. I know very little, and what I know is not useful to your efforts. If I learn more, I will return to you. Unfortunately, we’ve been... a bit busy dealing with some problematic spirits as of late. I will speak to you about this another time.” She murmured. “Good luck, shaker of ancient bones. Do not join us here soon.” She added, purring slightly. The two medicine cats were then pulled from their dream, waking up in the dark of the den. “Dang, not even the highest ancestor knows much. We better let Thunderstar know.”

[wolfpack12]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: wolfpack12
Clan Thread: Crescentclan
Prompt Writing: (594/600)

" Mistflight? Mistflight!"

Mismatched coloured eyes snapped open, as the she-cat quickly lifted her head up. Her body becoming rigid, once she realised she was no longer beside the starpool. But back amongst the trees of her clan's territory. For a split second, she feared that she had been ambushed. Only for a soft familiar voice to call out to her from behind. Sounding amused.

" Finally, we were beginning to think that you would never 'wake' up"

The she-cat's eyes widened. She knew that voice. Quickly glancing over her shoulder, she was met by a black tom with warm amber eyes. His star covered fur shimmering underneath the moonlight. An amused smile on his face." Crescent!", she cried out. Feeling relief flood through her veins, as she rose to greet her leader's father. The older tom could barely hold back a chuckle, as he gently butted heads with the younger cat.

" It's good to see you too, young one", he replied. His voice no longer holding its happy tone. Only when Mistflight had taken a step backwards, did she notice the sad look in his fiery coloured eyes. Upon noticing this, the tom chuckled sadly." Although, I wish it were under better circumstances", he added. Hinting towards her clan's current situation.

" We all do", a new voice cut in.

Mistflight glanced behind Crescent, only now noticing the other starclan cats who were hidden within the shadows. Some of the faces that were hidden away were recognizable. While some of the others weren't. The one who had decided to speak, was a tortoiseshell she-cat who strongly reminded Mistflight of her leader. The she-cat smiled gently, as she moved to join them. The Starclan cats who had been waiting patiently behind her, soon following. Forming a small circle around the medicine cat. Once everyone had settled, they watched the she-cat expectantly. Waiting for the healer to talk.

" A rogue group has entered the forest, and are refusing to leave, they claim that the 'starry ones' told them to settle down here, Dawnstar was hoping that maybe one of you, would be able to help us understand what they meant", Mistflight explained.

The tortoiseshell released a soft sigh, as she met the medicine cat's gaze. It took only a second for Mistflight to finally realise that she was looking into the eyes of her leader's mother, Jasmine." I'm afraid we do not, for these cats are not from here", Jasmine replied. Upon hearing this, Mistflight flattened sadly her ears. Mismatched coloured eyes staring at the ground in defeat. Only to have her head gently tilted upwards, so she could meet Jasmine's gaze." Do not lose heart, healer, the answers will come to you with time", she added.

Before Mistflight could even utter out a reply, the cry of a dove echoed within the clearing. The forest, along with Starclan, had faded away to black. The she-cat would have panicked, it if wasn't for the familiar presence at her side." It has been a while, hasn't it?", a soft voice asked. Mistflight felt her eyes widen, as she turned to face the newcomer. Staring blankly at the light misty grey she-cat who stood before her. Eyes glowing white.

" It's you, the one who warned me in my dream", Mistflight whispered.

" We do not have much time, so listen..... tread carefully, healer, for not everyone are who they appear to be", the she-cat spoke. Before the medicine cat could even ask what she meant, the ground beneath her broke. Sending her falling into the empty abyss below.

" Now, wake up!"

[ajax.]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: Ajax.
Clan Thread: ThistleClan
Prompt Writing:
SorrelWatcher!
AdderStar called the second he stepped paw into the sandy hollow he knew as camp. The chocolate tabby watched as the cinnamon caliby came bounding out of her den near the corner of camp, her pelt smelling of citrus and mint, her singular necklace looped around her head and a smaller one around the base of her tail. She looked over at the two advisors that stood beside her chief and her yellow green eyes widened.
How was the meeting? She asked immediately, her ears flattening before she looked back over at WhiteBriar, her peripheral vision noting the ruddy pelt that lurked into camp behind the patrol. She couldn't held but smother a laugh at RedShiver, who was told specifically that he wasn't allowed to go.
Nothing important. I need you to speak with the ancestors immediately. He told her, not bothering to answer her question.
Jeez, that bad huh? Alright, i'll come see you when I've finished. She dipped her head, spinning on her hind legs and going back to bound into her den. She laid down in her nest, covering her face with her tail as she drifted off, knowing Caribou would likely grant her access to the after-liven this night.
The shecat opened her eyes, glancing around at the blackness that surrounded her, this was different, where was the after-liven? did her overseer not grant her access?
Caribou? SorrelWatcher's mew echoed off the surrounding shadow, and her paws attempted to grab at something, but her limbs simply hung in the air.
A figure moved forward out of the depths, and SorrelWatcher spun around, breathing a sigh of relief at the blue ragdoll who approached, seeming to swim through the darkness as if it were water.
I need to ask about the rogues that keep moving further into the territory, we attempted to speak with them, but they won't leave. At this rate we'll have to move to the lake to stay safe.
Caribou nodded, sitting down on nothing, his bright blue eyes wise as he looked at his trainee.
All i can tell you is that you must be careful around them, stay prepared. They are here for a reason. Her overseer told her, his ears swiveling in all directions.
What about that other cat? they're healers after all don't they interpret signs? she asked him.
The oracle interpreted the signs correctly, it is their leader that is being this way. Now go. He told her, tapping his paw over her forehead.
SorrelWatcher jolted awake, cursing under her breath, her overseer was being difficult and she didn't have all her questions answered. None the less she stood, making her way out of her den to speak with AdderStar.
[452 words]

Art Prompt!
Username: Ajax.
Clan Thread: ThistleClan
Art Prompt Number: 3
Prompt Art: xXx

[TheSongOfTheStars]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: TheSongOfTheStars
Clan Thread: Forum/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=3731932&hilit=Songclan+DNP
Prompt Writing:
463 words
Wildeyes glared up accusingly at the stars. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to send off the only healer in the clan.
If indeed the ancestors where actively interfering with the present day. She'd never bought into the starclan jargon as much as others. Dead cats should stay dead and leave the affairs of the living to the realms of daylight.
"Do you believe this?" Sandclaw hissed, coming up behind her, eyes blazing. He too scowled up at the night sky, as if he could stare down the purported troublemakers.
"No. I think they know that many clans subject themselves to superstition and they're trying to play with our heads."
"It might be working. Wolfblaze, Firedark, and Ottercoat may need reassurance that we aren't being invaded by ghosts."
"How are our apprentices."
Sandclaw paused and a smirk crossed his face.
"Wolfblaze practically had to sit on Mousetoes. He almost marched out to fight the strangers. And Nightlily spat and told me she's send them off to met their ancestors if they set another paw on our grounds."
Wildeyes smiled.
Their young ones may not have had impulse control, or patience, but they where intelligent.
And speaking of intelligent. Firefly came slinking out of the grass to their side.
"They're playing you," she said bluntly.
"Indeed," Wildeyes replied, slightly amused at the Siamese's bluntness.
"And it's working with your weaker minded warriors. Firedark's almost convinced himself to go and fetch Graystorm."
"It wouldn't do any good," Sandclaw said "He's no more clairvoyant than the rest of us."
Firefly's back arched slightly "Through that while meeting I want to gouge that white cat's eyes out. Imagine! Claiming to receive messages and such. I'd give him a message."
"Glad we agree on something," Wildeyes flicked her tail. But she shot a final glance upwards. Nervous. As if she was afraid she would see a sign. There where stories of such things.
There where also stories of cats who breathed water and flew across the skies with bird wings.
No.
No.
Songclan's future wasn't determined by stars or spirits. It was determined by her and her warriors.
She didn't need a sign. She didn't need a medicine cat or an oracle or a seer.
"Well?"
She realized Sandclaw and Firefly where looking at her expectantly.
"Ready yourselves and the rest of the warriors. These cats have shown they have no respect for the laws of any land and they have no code. There is much land that yields plenty of prey beyond these woods. Let them go there."
"And if we can't?" Firefly tilted her ears.
Wildeyes flicked her tail and glanced back at the Siamese.
"Well then. When we're done with them, they won't have to worry about having so many mouths to feed."

[Shadowflight13]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: Shadowflight13
Clan Thread: Cometclan
Prompt Writing: (488 words)

Smokestar crossed the river and stopped on the bank for a moment to groom some of the water from her fur. With no medicine cat, it fell to her to make the journey into the burned portion of their territory to meet with their ancestors. She made her way past fallen trees, over cracked and ashen ground, following the trail of destruction the comet had left in its wake. She finally came to the edge of the Star Pit, and peered down into the darkness. A thousand tiny crystals glittered like stars on the surface of the meteorite far below.

Smokestar climbed down the cliff face carefully, the rock melted treacherously smooth in places, and crumbling in others. She reached the bottom and stood facing the meteorite. Taking a deep breath, she touched her nose to the crystals and closed her eyes.

When she opened them, she stood on the surface of clear water, reflecting the galaxies spreading across the sky. Each step she took left a glowing pawprint behind her, and ripples glittering with stars spread out around her. Soon, some of the stars in the sky swirled together, becoming a cat: Deerstar, the ancient ancestor of the Clan that had once lived here.

Smokestar dipped her head respectfully. "Deerstar, there is a group of rogues invading our territory. We met with them peacefully, but they told us they won't leave... That they were sent here by the "starry ones". I couldn't help but be reminded of my own story."

"It was not us who led them here." The old ancestor frowned. "But if they follow a different belief system, it is entirely possible they have their own group of ancestors. Only cats who believe in Starclan are sent here when they die. Clearly it is not Starclan they believe in."

"Then what can we do?" Smokestar asked. "We have only five cats, including myself, one of them being an apprentice. We have no medicine cat if we get injured in battle. We can't fight for this land."

"I'm sorry." Deerstar shook her head. "I don't have any power over their actions, and I can't see what they will do... There is a storm on the horizon, Smokestar, but it is up to you to weather it." Behind Deerstar, the still surface of the water began to roil and churn, accumulating into a large wave that roared towards them. Beneath the surface, Smokestar could see the shapes of running cats, but she couldn't make out who they were. Deerstar began to fade as the wave rushed towards them.

"I can only hope I'm strong enough." Smokestar closed her eyes as the wave reached her, and when she opened them again, she was back in the bottom of the Star Pit. The vision of the wave stayed in her mind. She didn't know what it meant, but she could only hope it wasn't the total destruction of Cometclan.

[.Lyrebird]

Writing Prompt 3!
Username: .Lyrebird
Clan Thread: Galeclan
Prompt Writing: [ 896 words ]

Coldstar took a last, lingering glance at the strangers, unease settling into the tom's gut like a hot, heavy stone plucked up from the side of the Thunderpath and emanating the stench and dread of its home to eat away at the cat. While he was ever the peace-keeper, something told him this surely wouldn't end without bloodshed. Maybe he could convince some of the strange cats to join Galeclan... Janus, at least, would be welcomed with open paws and surely some of the rest of the clan didn't agree with their leader's actions. What kind of leader just invaded another clan's land without so much as meeting face-to-face to discuss whatever prophecy their 'starry ones' had given them.

With a flick of his tail, the tom gathered his clan about him, their tenseness obvious in the way their bodies trembled and fur stood on end. It was clear none of them liked the situation any more than he did. They were wary of outsiders, and for good reason. Their territory had plentiful prey, even during the harsh leafbare, and they had claimed a massive swath of land with easy access to herbs that most clans would never see in their lives. They weren't strangers to territory wars with invaders, and should the situation come to that fate, they would be ready.

"Let us return to home, and we will hope that our brothers and sisters in Starclan speak to Dovewhisper with enlightenment." Coldstar's calming voice broke through the group's unease and they murmured their agreements before the patrol set off towards the camp. They'd chosen a point near the lake to meet, purposefully far from camp, and had taken a confusing, winding route to and from their home to discourage any cat attempting to follow them back. The downside to having to take such extreme measures meant it took the patrol nearly two sun-ups to traverse the expanse of territory between their camp and the lake, a journey that would normally only last from sun-up to just beyond sun-high. As such, the sun was beginning to set when the patrol finally stepped sore paws into the camp, a chorus of welcoming mews and concerned questions leaving the few cats left behind to guard their home.

Coldstar went immediately to see Dovewhisper, allowing the silent tom to soak his burning pads in cool water and lather honey over them before finally speaking. "We spoke with two of the strange cats at length, healers called Janus and The Oracle," he paused to watch Dovewhisper roll his eyes at the latter of the two's names before continuing, "they say their... 'starry ones' told their leader to settle within our borders and that she will not entertain any other ideals." Dovewhisper frowned and looked away, towards where Coldstar knew the Fallen Shard sat. "I agree, it would be wise to speak with our ancestors. I will ask of Palepaw to make the journey with you and you shall bring along some fresh-kill." Dovewhisper nodded, turning to ready herbs for travelling.

-

The next day found the long-legged tom and spotted apprentice ascending the jagged slopes of the White Fangs, rough stone giving way to slick snow and thin, cool air that had both cats shivering with earnest once they reached the peak closer to moon-up. Palepaw sat the fat mouse and large fish they'd picked out of the fresh-kill pile down and the two tucked into their meals heartily as they awaited the moon's light to strike the thrumming crystal. They sat in silence after their meal, sides pressed together in an attempt to keep the chill away until finally several paths of light rippled along the ground in gorgeous colors, and when Dovewhisper looked up he noted the gentle moonlight sparkling against the surface of the crystal. He glanced one more time at Palepaw before stretching out to press his nose against the stone and allowing sleep to take him into Starclan's territory.

When he opened his eyes, the chill of the mountain was gone, replaced by a warm sun-down filtering its light through the tall trees and thick underbrush of Galeclan's territory. The medicine cat padded along the familiar trail, splashing through cool water and squeezing between boulders smoothed by the sides of many cats over many, many generations to enter Galeclan's dreamy camp. Waiting for him there was Galestar, the camp empty aside from the massive tom. He stood and closed the distance between himself and Dovewhisper with worry clear on his face.

"Brother. I do not know why these strangers are here or what ancestors they have talked to. I have journeyed far and wide to other clans of the forest and none of them know of such a tale. I do know that these cats mean well, even if they seem like your enemy. They are many and their bellies are empty; allow them to hunt and to share the lands for now and we will see what comes of their presence here." Galestar spoke as if he were just as lost as the rest of the clan, and Dovewhisper grew solemn at the news but nodded and allowed the tom to press their noses together, chilling him to the bone and returning him to the waking world. He returned to Coldstar without an answer, and a sad confusion seemed to settle over the camp.

[TheSongOfTheStars]

Art Prompt!
Username: TheSongOfTheStars
Clan Thread: https: [url=//www.chickensmoothie.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=3731932]Songclan[/url]
Art Prompt Number: 2
Prompt Art:
Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3864047

Also I did the #1 art prompt on the first thread and it didn't get added. Is there someone I need to pm about that?